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How Everything Started...
How Everything Started...
In November 2019, Andy, now a member of our foundation, was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome at the age of 7. This rare and serious autoimmune disorder attacks the kidneys, and, unfortunately, there is no known cure. Since his diagnosis, Andy has bravely faced the challenges of managing the disease, enduring the side effects of harsh medications, and navigating the uncertainty of treatment options. Despite these struggles, his resilience, courage, and determination to live life to the fullest have been an inspiration to many—particularly a group of friends he met during a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in June 2021. These five children and their families, united by a shared passion for arts and crafts, were motivated to use their skills to support young patients like Andy.
Recognizing the positive impact that art and creativity can have on healing and mental well-being, the families came together to found the Art for Hope Foundation. Our mission is to provide young artists a platform to bring joy and hope to children battling serious health conditions. Since its founding, the children have been busy crafting, creating tutorials, and fundraising to raise awareness of rare diseases. All proceeds from their efforts are donated to local children's hospitals and trusted nonprofits supporting pediatric rare disease research and treatment.
As our foundation continues to grow, we invite more volunteers and art enthusiasts to join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of these young patients, helping to create a brighter future for them and their families.
Board Members
Board Members
Fei Dong, President, Co-Founder
Fei Dong, President, Co-Founder
As the operational lead for Art for Hope, Fei oversees the organization’s strategic direction, program delivery, and community outreach. She works closely with the board and volunteer teams to translate Art for Hope's mission into impactful arts-based initiatives.
Fei brings a unique analytical rigor to the nonprofit space, holding a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. With over two decades of experience as a digital design consultant specializing in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), she has spent her career optimizing complex hardware systems. Beyond her technical expertise, Fei is a dedicated community advocate. She is a co-founder and board member of the Young Innovator Institute and has spent years volunteering for organizations that empower underserved populations.
Shang Xue, Vice President, Co-founder
Shang Xue, Vice President, Co-founder
Shang Xue, Ph.D. is Co-Founder, Vice President, and Board Member of Art for Hope Foundation (AFH). She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Statistics, and previously served on the faculty in a research university statistics department, with numerous peer-reviewed publications in engineering and quantitative research.
Her professional background spans academia and the financial industry, including experience in quantitative modeling and financial planning at established financial institutions. She brings interdisciplinary expertise in data analysis, strategic planning, and organizational development to AFH.
As a co-founder, she has played a key role in AFH’s program development, fundraising, partnerships, and organizational growth, and currently serves full-time in leadership overseeing strategy and operations.
A self-taught artist pursuing formal studio training in painting at a well-regarded art school, she integrates artistic practice into AFH’s creative programming. She is also actively engaged in volunteer service, community partnerships, and initiatives supporting pediatric patients and underserved communities.
Guannan Zheng, Media Director, Co-founder
Guannan Zheng, Media Director, Co-founder
Guannan Zheng is a fintech professional with a background in predictive analytics and a strong commitment to the arts. She earned her master’s degree in Predictive Analytics from DePaul University in 2016 and currently works in the fintech industry, focusing on expanding access to personal loans for credit-underserved communities. Deeply passionate about art collection and craft-making, Guannan believes in the transformative power of the arts to inspire and change lives. Since 2021, she has served as Media Director of the Arts and Hope Foundation, where she leads sales efforts, event planning, and the foundation’s social media and marketing strategy.
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